Matched Threat
Adding a Whipple supercharger to SVTP’s Project Triple Threat
By Steve Turner
Photos by Stacy Stangz
As you know, SVTP has a robust stable of project cars ranging from our feisty Fiesta ST, Project Smallz to our corner-carving EcoBoost Mustang, Project Samhain. However, the headliner in the bunch is our bright-yellow 2015 Mustang GT, Project Triple Threat, which we picked up at Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas, Nevada, and started modding from the jump.
We started with the basics, like Redline Tuning hood lifts and an MGW license plate frame, but this car is being tweaked for the quarter mile. So, shortly after adding some easy bolt-ons on the Gaudin Ford lot, we loaded Triple Threat in the SVTP trailer and made a beeline for Whipple Superchargers in Fresno, California.
There we snapped photos and shot video as the Whipple team installed one of the first 2.9-liter supercharger systems for the 2015 Mustang GT. Of course, this wasn’t just any supercharger. No, it was a literal match made in horsepower heaven. This Whipple kit, and its companion lower intake manifold were both coated in yellow to match our project’s hot hue. You can watch the installation of the Whipple kit right here…
[video=youtube;iT5EEcc_yio]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT5EEcc_yio[/video]
If you aren’t familiar with the process of installing the latest Whipple supercharger on a new-school Coyote, we are here for you with the highlights. We snapped away as the Whipple team transformed the looks and performance of Triple Threat’s 5.0-liter V-8.
In our next installment on this project, we’ll cover the dyno testing of this combo and a full Kooks exhaust upgrade, so stay tuned.
The Whipple Superchargers 2015-2016 Mustang GT SC System has a base price of $7,295, and includes everything you need to supercharger your new Mustang GT. If you want to option it up like Triple Threat’s system you can add the 132mm elliptical throttle body for $600, the dual 11-inch heat exchanger fans for $400, and the gloss yellow finish for $600. Other options include a carbon-fiber inlet tube ($300) and jackshaft cover ($190). Also, a calibration is provided, but you have to ship your TriCor PCM out to Whipple for the flash. If you would prefer to have a handheld flash tuner, adding one will tack on $200 to your invoice.
Our project didn’t stay stock for more than a few minutes after we signed the paperwork, but once we arrived at Whipple Superchargers, things got serious in a hurry. After disconnecting factory fuel rails, the Whipple crew removed the stock air box, stock inlet tube, intake manifold, accessory drive belt, and such to clear the way for the supercharger upgrade.
While the Whipple supercharger doesn’t require any cutting or modding of the engine block or body, you do need to loosen and re-clock the factory knock sensors to make way for the deep plunge of the intercooler core that seats in the Whipple lower intake. After you re-clock the knock sensors, tape up the connectors for the Intake Manifold Runner Controls, which will no longer be used with the supercharger system. Do, however, be sure to make sure the connector for the Intake Air Temperature sensor is accessible, as you will need to plug in the supplied extension harness.
With a path cleared in the engine bay, the Whipple team removes Triple Threat’s front fascia to facilitate the installation of the heat exchanger, intercooler reservoir, intercooler pump and the related coolant hoses.
Whipple was free to create an entirely new system for the 2015+ Mustang GT and the basis of the kit is this lower intake manifold, which facilitates the installation of air-to-water aluminum bar-plate intercooler.
This is the aforementioned intercooler core, which Whipple says is 33 percent larger than competitive units. When it comes to taking the heat out of boost, more capacity is a good thing.
The Whipple system features a clever arrangement for mounting the intercooler reservoir and intercooler pump. The reservoir holds a whopping 1.3 gallons of fluid, and having the pump fed right from the side of the reservoir means the pump won’t starve or cavitate, which offers great peace of mind when you are at WOT.
Here the Whipple team installs the massive heat exchanger on Project Triple Threat. The exchanger in this kit is 60-percent larger than the version include in previous Coyote kits. We added the two optional SPAL 11-inch fans to improve the system’s cooling and ward off heat soak. Both the pump and fans are powered and controlled by a harness included in the kit. Just follow the detailed instructions a pickup power at the underhood fusebox.
After installing the heat exchanger, reservoir, pump and hoses, it was time to set the lower intake in place. Highlighted by the bright yellow coating, you can really see how large the intercooler core is in the lower intake.
With the lower in place, the Whipple team torques the fasteners in the pattern prescribed in the instructions, first to 88 in-lb and then to 106 in-lb on the second pass.
Using the pattern in the manual, torque the blower down first to 15 lb-ft and then, on the second pass, to 22 lb-ft of torque. While we gave you a look at the individual lower intake and intercooler, however, the intake ships assembled with sensors, fuel injectors, fuel rails, and GT500-style 58 lb/hr fuel injectors.
Next the Whipple team installed the bracket need to add the necessary idlers and tensioners to the factory front-end accessory drive. This plate bolts on without any mods to the front cover. With it in place they routed the longer six-rib belt. We started with the 3.75-inch pulley to generate 12 boost of boost for Triple Threat. However, should you need more (or less) boost, you can easily swap blower pulleys by simply removing and replacing four Allen-head fasteners.
The base Whipple system is configured to work with the stock 80mm throttle body, but if you are familiar with positive-displacement superchargers, you know they abhor inlet restrictions. As such, we chose to add the optional 132mm elliptical throttle body to get the inlet air an unrestricted path into the supercharger.
Obvious the stock air box would be a restriction at this power level. Thankfully the Whipple system includes a robust induction system including a large conical filter housed in a heat shield that mates with the factory fresh air duct fed by the scoop behind the grille.
Since the reservoir is mounted down low, Whipple uses this handy fill tube mounted to the filter shield. While the reservoir holds 1.3 gallons, it will take a bit more coolant to fill the hoses, heat exchanger, and intercooler core.
Isn’t she a beauty? The yellow 2.9-liter Whipple is ready to make power on our otherwise stock 5.0-liter engine. The blower’s 3x5 rotor combination is said to improve airflow, and, thus, performance under the curve. In our next installment on Project Triple Threat, we will dyno test this combo and cover a full Kooks exhaust upgrade.
